Beki Baker, MFA, BFA

Education

Baylor University, MFA in Directing
Baylor University, BFA in Performance
Teaching Certification: Theatre K-12, Tennessee Certified

Bio

Beki Baker joins TCU as Chair of Theatre following more than 22 years of experience in higher education and professional theatre. As Chair, she provides leadership for the department’s academic programs and supports the artistic excellence and continued growth of its production season.

In addition to her academic leadership, Beki maintains an active career as a professional director. Her directing credits at Nashville Repertory Theatre include 9 to 5 the Musical, A Christmas Carol, and BloodSuckingLeech. She also directed The Revolutionists for the RepALOUD series, as well as Together We Are Making a Poem in Honor of Life, Showing, Pattern Seeking Animals, The Very Last Wishes of Grandpa Joe, The Second Avenue Subway, and BloodSuckingLeech for the Ingram New Works Festival.

Beki’s other directing credits include Steel Magnolias and Driving Miss Daisy at Studio Tenn Theatre Company; Julius Caesar, Shakespeare’s Case, and The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Nashville Shakespeare Festival; Man & Superman and The Crucible with Blackbird Theater Company. She directed Broadway star Eden Espinosa in a staged concert of Tarzan for Disney Theatricals and the National Association for Music Education, as well as Tony Award nominee Elizabeth A. Davis in Tomorrow at Tablerock Repertory Theatre. She is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Prior to joining TCU, Beki served for 12 years as Chair of Theatre at Lipscomb University. During her tenure, she led the department through accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. She also helped establish the Nashville High School Musical Theatre Awards in partnership with the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, a program that connects participating students to the Jimmy Awards in New York City.

Beki is delighted to join TCU and build on the continued success and growth of its nationally recognized Department of Theatre.

Professional Experience

• Professional Freelance Director, 2010-present
• Education Director, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, 2010-2012
• Spotlight Awards Co-Producer, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, 2014-2022

Honors & Awards

• Outstanding Director of a Musical, 9 to 5, First Night Awards
• Outstanding Director of a Musical, Mamma Mia, First Night Awards
• Outstanding Director of a Musical, Bright Star, First Night Awards
• Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Excellence in Directing, The Crucible
• Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Excellence in Directing, Dancing at Lughnasa
• Dean’s Award of Excellence, Lipscomb University

Professional Affiliations

• Stage Directors and Choreographers Union (SDC)